Tonight’s league cup game against lower league opposition Gillingham is the ideal time for Pochettino to rotate the squad, include youngsters and try new things. Here is my squad for tonight:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Pochettino isn’t likely to deviate away from his favoured league formation – especially if he plans to use Janssen leading the line. It will act as a rehearsal before our league match against Middlesbrough and hopefully serve as a confidence booster for Janssen.
Team
GK: Michel Vorm
Vorm impressed at the start of the season in Hugo Lloris’s absence. He was unfortunate to lose his place to our returning captain and will get the nod in goal tonight.
RB: Kieran Trippier
Kyle Walker was one of a handful of players to clutch his hamstring during our win over Sunderland at the weekend. Along with Son, Walker was one of our stand out performers in the match and he could do with a rest and to be wrapped in bubble wrap. Trippier was impressive last season despite being limited to cup games. He will play tonight.
CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers
The American youngster has caught the eye of Tottenham manager Pochettino and has made the bench in all the Premier League games. He impressed in pre-season and tonight seems like the best opportunity to give him his debut.
CB: Kevin Wimmer
Remember him? Wimmer has been the forgotten man this season with Pochettino preferring CCV on the bench. Wimmer was injured during pre-season but is fit and ready to start his season. Alderweireld and Vertonghen could do with a rest with big matches coming up in the next few weeks.
LB: Ben Davies
The Welsh international didn’t impress against Monaco… It wasn’t the performance we expected of the player who impressed so much at the Euros. Still, he came on in the second half against Sunderland and needs game time to get up to speed. Danny Rose is still out injured (should be returning for the weekend) so Davies will play.
CDM: Victor Wanyama
Wanyama is quietly becoming a big player for Tottenham. Although he was brought in to fight Dier for first team football he has impressed alongside the England international. With Dembele back, Wanyama has had to drop to the bench but he will be in the starting line up tonight.
CDM: Harry Winks
Everyone is keen to see the local lad get his first start for Tottenham. He made his Premier League debut against Liverpool as a substitute and will be keen for more competitive action tonight. Pochettino has hinted he will start.
CAM (R): Moussa Sissoko
Still acclimatising to his new surroundings, Sissoko didn’t impress against Sunderland. Although there are other younger players that could play tonight – Sissoko needs game time after not featuring in any of Newcastle’s fixtures prior to his move.
CAM (C): Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen will probably assume the role of leader on the pitch and will be made captain. The Danish playmaker will look to inspire the team and form a partnership with Janssen as he has done with Kane.
CAM (L): Joshua Onomah
Onomah is a youngster who has bags of ability and potential but is yet to impress in his opportunities in the first team so far. Pochettino is keen to get Onomah in the team and will be given the chance tonight.
Striker: Vincent Janssen
Janssen needs to grab a goal and gain some confidence – especially if he is to step up in Kane’s absence over the next few weeks/months. He’ll start tonight but will probably come off early in the second half if the game is secured as he will be leading the line again on Saturday.
Subs:
Pau Lopez, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Marcus Edwards, Kevin-Georges N’Koudou, Heung-Min Son
